Virtual Walking Intervention for Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury
A Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial to Examine the Efficacy and Mechanisms of Immersive Virtual Walking Treatment for Neuropathic Pain in Spinal Cord Injury
Texas A&M University
250 participants
Nov 23, 2021
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine if playing a virtual reality walking game can help improve neuropathic pain in adults with chronic spinal cord injury.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria9
- The study will recruit individuals with complete injury (American Spinal Injury Association \[ASIA\] classification A) with lumbar, paraplegic, or low tetraplegic (C5-C7) injury. Additional criteria will include:
- Must have persistent NP symptoms that are of daily severity of at least 4/10 for 3 or more months
- Must endorse more than 2 items on a 7-item Spinal Cord Injury Pain Instrument, SCIPI
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be more than one year post-injury to begin study (can be screened at an earlier time for eligibility)
- Must have mobile connectivity with usable service
- Must be stable on pain medication for 1 or more months
- Must be cleared on the VRWalk physical activity clearance scale
- Must not have motion sickness that interferes with daily life
Exclusion Criteria7
- Individuals with Injury levels between C1 and C4
- Individuals under the age of 18
- Individuals who were injured within the past year
- Individuals who cannot comprehend spoken English
- Individuals who are in prison
- Individuals who are blind
- Individuals who experience severe motion sickness
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
Individuals playing VR game 1 will wear a head-mounted display to allow them to visualize virtual legs in the virtual environment. When wearing the display, individuals will see the legs and arms of their virtual avatar from a first-person perspective. Individuals will engage in virtual reality sessions in their home twice daily over the course of 10 days in a two-week period. Each daily session will take approximately 30 minutes, with 5-10 minutes dedicated to the virtual walking experience. Additionally, each daily session will be scheduled a minimum of 4 hours apart.
Individuals playing VR game 2 will wear a head-mounted display to allow them to visualize virtual legs in the virtual environment. When wearing the display, individuals will see the legs and arms of their virtual avatar from a first-person perspective. Individuals will engage in virtual reality sessions in their home twice daily over the course of 10 days in a two-week period. Each daily session will take approximately 30 minutes, with 5-10 minutes dedicated to the virtual walking experience. Additionally, each daily session will be scheduled a minimum of 4 hours apart.
Locations(3)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT05005026